News

Cannabis farm is found after tip-off

A LARGE cannabis farm was discovered when police raided a house in Great Lever.

More than 200 plants, with an estimated street value of £75,000, were found by police following a tip-off.

Officers executed a warrant at the terraced house in Hurlston Road at 10.20am yesterday.

The plants, at various stages of growth, were in the loft and two upstairs bedrooms.

It was a sophisticated set up, with lights, fans and diffusers to stop smells.

There was no-one at the house when police went in and no-one has been arrested.

Sgt Steve Malone, of Bolton South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Acting on community intelligence we executed a warrant and discovered 218 plants of various stages of growth at the property. Taking this amount of cannabis off the streets will have an impact in the area.

“We urge anyone with information or concerns to contact us and the information will be acted upon.”

An investigation has been launched to find out who is responsible for the cannabis farm.

The discovery follows a high-profile operation in the Bolton South area targeting organised crime.

In November, more than 60 people were arrested during operation Skyhawk for offences including the cultivation and possession of drugs, burglary, robbery and theft from motor vehicles.

Cannabis farms are a problem across Bolton, with other large finds in recent weeks.

In December about 400 plants were found at a house in Galindo Street, a quiet residential road in Bradshaw, which came as a shock to neighbours.

It was estimated the plants, which were growing in two upstairs bedrooms and the loft of a mid-terrace house, have a street value of about £160,00. Earlier this month up to 600 plants were found in a flat above a shop in Lee Lane in Horwich after a fire broke out.